8:50am Monday 22nd March 2010
By Simon Farr
CAMPAIGNERS battling for the Princes Risborough's Royal British Legion Memorial Hall future remain optimistic they can save it from the hands of private owners.
The RBL branch action group laid on a six-hour open day on Saturday at the Bell Street hall as part of a month-long drive to raise funds and sign up new members in a bid to thwart the closure of the club.
The Risborough branch is one of nine New Legion Clubs around the country refurbished a year ago, at a cost of £600,000 each, put up for sale by RBL HQ because they were no longer making money.
An un-named buyer – which members believe to be a property developer - bought the hall's lease at the end of last year after the town council put in a bid to buy the property.
The sale will only go through if the un-named plan is given council planning permission.
But Princes Risborough Mayor and chairman of the town council, Cllr Alan Turner said the action group had been in contact with HQ and there remains a “very good chance” the hall can be saved.
Speaking as a concerned Legion member he added: “We've had no confirmation from HQ when the hall would be closing or when a meeting will be held to decide the fate of the hall. After that meeting they should be able to tell us something.
“But I think the way it has been carried out, with staff not knowing whether they will have a job at the end of the month, it is no way to run a business.
“But over the last few weeks, the branch has launched a new drive and business is very much on the up and we have proved that this business is very much viable.
“I think we have a very good chance – there are a number of issues I think and hope the Charity Commission will investigate.
“For a business, that has been running in this town for more than 50 years and was only refurbished 12 months ago to be shut down, to be shut down now doesn't make any sense.”
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